Gum Swamp dam
Gum Swamp
Gum Swamp, located in St. Tammany, Louisiana, is a privately-owned recreational dam that was completed in 1963 on the TR-ENGLISH BRANCH river or stream. The dam, primarily constructed for recreational purposes, stands at a height of 7 feet with a hydraulic height of 6 feet and a length of 1400 feet. It has a storage capacity of 150 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 20 acres, providing a serene setting for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing.
Despite its low hazard potential, Gum Swamp is currently in poor condition as assessed in 2017, with a moderate risk rating of 3. The dam is regulated by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, with state oversight for permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The spillway is uncontrolled with a width of 40 feet, and the dam is situated in a drainage area of 1.5 square miles. While the dam offers recreational opportunities, its deteriorating condition calls for immediate attention and potential risk management measures to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the preservation of the environment.
With its picturesque location and recreational offerings, Gum Swamp serves as a valuable asset for the Abita Springs community. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to stay informed about the condition of dams like Gum Swamp to advocate for necessary repairs and maintenance to safeguard both the ecosystem and public safety. By supporting efforts to ensure the longevity and resilience of dams like Gum Swamp, we can continue to enjoy the benefits of these water resources while protecting the environment for future generations.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Gum Swamp -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bogue Chitto River Near Bush | 2,860 cfs | → |
| West Hobolochitto Creek Nr Mcneill | 975 cfs | → |
| Tchefuncta River Near Folsom | 86 cfs | → |
| East Hobolochitto Creek Nr Caesar | 1,110 cfs | → |
| Pearl River Near Bogalusa | 11,800 cfs | → |
| Tangipahoa River At Robert | 1,050 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gum Swamp.
Boat launches
- East Independence Street 798, Covington
- Water Street Covington
- Walkiah Bluff Road 521, Pearl River County
- Burnt Bridge Road Pearl River County
- Bayou Lacombe Boat Launch
- St. Tammany Parish
Track Gum Swamp in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Gum Swamp
Where does the data for Gum Swamp come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Gum Swamp.